S-14: Tokyo Autumn leaves cycling, ‘22.27th,Nov.
This spots are in “Short trips". See “Short trips" map/ See Japan map
I didn’t have any idea of cycling to local area in this weekend, which made me think cycling to central Tokyo to watch the best timing autumn leaves. Fortunately it became very clear day.
The central area of Tokyo has some famous autumn leaves’ spots. Among them, imperial palace which opens the streets only this season for citizens, Rikugien(pic. 5~7), Koishikawa Korakuen and Meiji-Jingu ginkgo tree street are especially famous. Of course, most big gardens and parks have many beautiful autumn leave scenes but I chose this circling route from Yasukuni shrine → Meiji-Jingu shrine → Gokoku temple →Rikugien.
The leaves at Yasukuni shrine looked not so wonderful but there were many people came to worship(pic.1) and there were lots of people walking on the Meiji Jingu ginkgo tree streets to watch the leaves(pic.2) though the season has a little passed the peak. I had to give up cycling through the street. The Gokoku-ji(temple) (pic.3) didn’t have autumn leaves scene but I was excited to see the 17th century main hall which stood as it was though Tokyo was devastated twice in 20th century.
The picture No.4 was taken in 2 weeks back of this trip at Tokyo University. As its shape of emblem is ginkgo leaves, the ginkgo trees in its campus is very famous. So many people came inside the gate and were taking pictures.
It’s close to Ueno park and Koishikawa Korakuen, so it would be nice to drop in all these 3 spots at once when you come to this area.
The next spot was Rikugien which was made in 17th century of Edo era and is now the most popular autumn leaves spot in Tokyo. By paying 300Yen, you can enter this wide garden. I thought the garden was well designed and beautiful but since I saw much more beautiful autumn leaves in Tohoku area(my B-5 article) 3 weeks ago, so I was not so mesmerised as others were.
Now it was past noon. On my returning way to home, I found a famous old downtown, Yanaka Ginza, near Nippori station. I hear there are many old styled friendly atmosphere shops and restaurants there. So I decided to eat lunch there.
There were some small shops who served a single item foods in the Ginza street which made a long line to buy them(pic.8) but only few restaurants there. And I finally found what I wanted to enter, “Nami Makase" after passing the entrance of the street(pic.9). BTW, this pic.9 spot is famous for watching sunset with the street.
There I ordered deep-fried skewers lunch set at \850-. The price was very low but I was satisfied with its volume and taste which remined me of my younger age.
It’s the first time for me to plan a cycling around the center of Tokyo but it was a rediscovery of Tokyo. I want to plan another again.